In this episode of Architecture Business Club, host Jon Clayton speaks with service positioning expert, Janine Coombes, to discuss different approaches to pricing and positioning architectural services. Acknowledging common charging methods such as percentage of build costs, fixed price, or by the hour, they address the potential of learning from other service sectors. Janine stresses the importance of selling the benefit rather than the service. She urges architectural service providers to emphasize the outcome of their work rather than the service itself. They also delve into the concept of 'niching', carving out a specific corner of the marketplace to establish a unique proposition. The episode also broaches the delicate topic of handling pricing proposals.Today's Guest...Janine Coombes is a service positioning expert who helps coaches and consultants to earn drastically more from their 1:1 services without slogging their guts out or moving to a more complicated business model. She has an extensive background in business and marketing including working with big brands like EE, Orange, and Europcar. Janine also has a business degree, a post-graduate marketing diploma (CIM Dip) and for the last 7 years has been helping small, service-based business owners to position and sell their offers. She regularly speaks on stages like Atomicon, You Are The Media, and MarketEd.Live. She’s a skilled writer and one of the most creative content creators out there.Episode Highlights...00:00 Introduction to Architectural Services Pricing00:27 About the Host and the Show00:59 Introduction to Guest Speaker - Janine Coombes01:12 Janine's Background and Expertise02:01 Janine's Unusual Hobby03:00 Pricing Strategies for Architectural Services03:28 The Importance of Positioning and Niching03:35 Common Mistakes in Pricing Services06:38 How to Present Services to Potential Clients11:02 The Art of Sending a Fee Proposal26:49 The Benefits of Niching30:49 Final Thoughts and Wrap Up33:41 Preview of the Next Episode34:02 Closing Remarks and Contact InformationKey Takeaways...👉Pricing architectural services: Consider a different approach to pricing and positioning architectural services beyond charging by the hour or percentage of bill costs. Sell the benefit and focus on the end result. Position yourself in a specific corner of the marketplace to stand out and avoid being seen as a commodity.👉Presenting services: Be clear on who you want to work with and identify the types of projects and personalities that you enjoy working with. Promote yourself based on the end result and create a unique proposition to attract clients.👉Fee proposals: Take the time to have conversations with potential clients before sending out a fee proposal. Gather information, understand their needs and motivations, and then present the proposal in person or on a video call. Reiterate the benefits of your services before mentioning the price.👉Niching: Explore niching in architectural services by creating different offers for specific target markets. You can have a range of services for different people, each with a sharp target market. This allows you to cut through the competition, be more competitive on price, and become known for your expertise.👉Confidence in pricing: Look at what other businesses are charging for similar services and recognize that you provide more value and care than they do. Associate your price with the benefit you bring to clients' lives. Consider incremental price increases after each successful project.👉Understanding clients: Take the time to understand your clients' motivations, why they want to undertake a project, and the consequences of not doing it. Explore what's at stake for them and how motivated they are to take...

In this episode of the Architecture Business Club podcast, host Jon Clayton talks with Linden Dover, co-founder and COO of Weaver, an online platform that assists architects and design professionals in finding, vetting, and hiring building contractors. Linden shares the rigorous three-step approach adopted by Weaver to vet contractors, emphasizing the importance of continual assessment. He also discusses his past experiences, specifically a 2016 instance regarding a rogue contractor that eventually led to the founding of Weaver. Ultimately, the continual vetting process maximises the chances of a successful match between a project and contractor and also ensures clients have a pleasant experience.Today's Guest...Linden Dover is an entrepreneur and seasoned property development professional with a deep-rooted passion for design, craftsmanship, and innovation. As the Co-Founder and COO of Weaver, an online platform connecting contractors to home renovation projects in the UK, he has cultivated a thriving network of trusted professionals. The platform, recognized and backed by influential industry leaders like BTOV, FJ Labs, and Atlassian Executives, stands as a testament to his commitment to elevating the construction and renovation industry.Episode Highlights...00:00 Introduction and Overview01:01 Meet the Guest: Linden Dover01:57 Linden's Personal Journey and Relocation to Mallorca03:02 The Birth of Weaver: A Story of Overcoming Challenges06:55 The Weaver Vetting Process: Ensuring Quality Contractors14:38 The Importance of Continual Assessment16:47 The Two-Way Vetting Process: Ensuring Quality Projects18:31 Tips for Finding the Right Contractor23:09 The Importance of Respect and Communication in the Construction Industry27:54 Linden's Favorite Place: A Hidden Gem in Mallorca29:37 Conclusion and FarewellKey Takeaways...Do your due diligence: Don't just rely on looks or recommendations. Interrogate and thoroughly assess potential contractors.Visit ongoing projects: Whenever possible, go visit a project that the contractor is currently working on. This will give you a good sense of their workmanship and the way they conduct themselves on site.Verify credentials: Check if the contractor has the appropriate insurances and references for your specific type of project. Make sure they have the necessary experience and expertise.Get references and verify them: Reach out to past clients and ask them about their experience working with the contractor. Ask about their communication, timeliness, and ability to resolve disputes. Continual assessment: Look for contractors who are continually assessed and have a good track record. Consider working with platforms or networks that provide ongoing evaluation and feedback.Consider specialization: If your project requires specific skills or expertise (e.g., sustainable design, unique materials), ensure that the contractor has experience in that area.Avoid solely focusing on price: While cost is an important factor, prioritize factors such as communication, timeliness, and overall fit for your project. Cheaper quotes may lead to unexpected costs and low-quality work.Provide feedback: Communicate with contractors and provide feedback on their performance. This helps